Peer Review

Ratings

Overall Numeric Rating:

This site offers a collection of sources on Southern history, literature, and culture from the colonial period through the first decades of the 20th century. The collection is categorized by Frist-Person Narratives of the American South, a Library of Southern Literature, North American Slave Narratives, The Southern Homefront, 1861-1865, and The Church in the Southern Black Community.

Type of Material:

Document Collection

Technical Requirements:

Instructor should provide an explanation of how the site can be used.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

This site is provided to facilitate a better understanding of southern literature and slave culture through slave narratives and songs.

Target Student Population:

Grades 11 and 12 in High School in more advanced programs; college level.

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

A basic understanding of slavery and southern literature, which can be provided by the instructor. An understanding of the nature of primary sources and their interpretative use.

Evaluation and Observation

Content Quality

Rating:

Strengths:

This is a nicely presented set of e-texts, which include slave narratives, southern literary works, and slave songs. Importance is given to the role of the Church in the Black community.

Concerns:

None.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:

Strengths:

This is not a teaching module per se, but a document collection. There is(are) no online lesson(s) to complete. This site is easily adaptable to lessons originating with the instructor, especially any assignment dealing with primary sources and their meaning. Each page has a link to send feedback and a contact address for support.

Concerns:

None.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:

Strengths:

This site is easy to navigate because of its simple, standard format, and the way in which each document set is introduced. The search engine allows the viewer to navigate by title/author/subject. Download time is excellent with a T-l connection. Small amounts of graphics will help slower connection downloads.